American Baptist College (previously American Baptist Theological Seminary) is a private, historically black Baptist college in Nashville, Tennessee, affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA. The school was founded in 1924. Upon accreditation by the American Association of Bible Colleges in 1971, ABTS dropped use of the term "Theological Seminary" and renamed itself American Baptist College.
American Baptist Theological Seminary students and faculty played major roles in the Civil Rights Movement, especially in the Nashville Student Movement and 1960 Nashville sit-ins. John Lewis, Bernard Lafayette, James Bevel, C. T. Vivian, Kelly Miller Smith, William Barbee, Julius Scruggs, and John F. Grimmett were among the activists who played major roles.
History The school's Nashville predecessor in black Baptist education was Roger Williams University, a college that operated from 1866 to 1929, though it was not specifically aimed at the education of ministers.
The idea of a seminary for the training of Black Baptist ministers grew out of conversation between National Baptist leaders and O.L. Hailey about the possibility of establishing a seminary for the education of its ministers, in 1913.Larry G. Murphy, J. Gordon Melton, Gary L. Ward, Encyclopedia of African American Religions, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2013, p. 41 In a resolution presented by Edgar Young Mullins and adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in that same year, the convention pledged its cooperation and appointed a similar committee. The committees of the two conventions met together and the following year recommended to their respective bodies that the college be established in Memphis, Tennessee. It was later decided to establish the College in Nashville. The present site of 53 acres was purchased with the help of the National Baptists in 1921, and a plan calling for the management of the seminary by a holding board and a governing board representative of the two conventions was adopted. The first building, Griggs Hall, was erected in 1923 and housed dormitory rooms, dining hall, library, and classrooms.
American Baptist College formally opened its doors for the training of Christian workers under the name of the American Baptist Theological Seminary on September 14, 1924.Paul Finkelman, Encyclopedia of African American History: 5-Volume Set, Oxford University Press USA, USA, 2009, p. 440 "The seminary opened Oct. 1, 1924, with an enrollment of 28 men and 2 women. The first faculty consisted of William T. Amiger, James Henry Garnett, and O. L. Hailey. Sutton E. Griggs was elected the first president."
In 1937, the Southern Baptist Convention agreed to share 50/50 with the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. in the operation of the College.Jessie Carney Smith, Linda T Wynn, Freedom Facts and Firsts: 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience, Visible Ink Press, USA, 2009, p. 83 The unprecedented cooperation between the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. and the Southern Baptist Convention created a unique educational opportunity for African American clergy to gain higher biblical and theological education for over five decades. Due to this partnership, the Southern Baptist Convention helped prepare students and a broad spectrum of church leaders who were ready to meet the challenges of the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. Providing scholarships and fiscal support of the operations of American Baptist College, the Southern Baptist Convention made a significant contribution to the education of men and women for Christian service in the world. In order to support the future growth and flourishing of the College, the Southern Baptist Convention continued in that partnership until a joint decision to turn over the assets to the Board of Trustees of American Baptist College in 1996.
The College has educated Civil Rights champions, national leaders and Christian ministers. The school's history during the 1960s and 1970s was filled with civil rights champions, national leaders and Christian ministers. Students from American Baptist College, such as Julius Scruggs, Bernard Lafayette, James Bevel, William Barbee and John Lewis served on the front line of the Nashville sit-ins for justice and change.
Under the tutelage of then-professors J.F. Grimmett, Kelly Miller Smith, and C.T. Vivian, many students sat down at local lunch counters to protest racial segregation. The campus itself was a popular command post for organizing and training students for social justice causes throughout the city at the time. A number of students from that period have gone on to become major names in civil rights history and American politics e.g., John Lewis, Bernard Lafayette, Julius Scruggs. At the time, members of the Nashville Student Movement referred to the college as the "Holy Hill".
In 1971, the school became accredited and its official name was changed to American Baptist College.Walter de Gruyter and American Council on Education, American Universities and Colleges, Walter de Gruyter, USA, 2014, p. 1596 The college was originally formed as a joint educational partnership between the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. The Southern Baptist Convention withdrew as one of the founding fathers of the college. At its annual meeting in 1993, the National Baptist Convention appointed a committee to investigate support of the college in 1995. The college continues to serve as the primary theological training center for the NBC, USA Inc.
In 2013, it received the federal designation as a historically Black college or university was awarded on March 20, 2013, by the U.S. Education Department.
Historic district The American Baptist Theological Seminary Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2013. The listing recognized the institution's significance for African American ethnic heritage, education, and religion, as well as its role in the Civil Rights movement of the mid-twentieth century. Contributing elements in the historic district include the historic plan and landscape of the campus at 1800 Baptist World Center Drive in Nashville, as well as three historic buildings: Griggs Hall (built in 1924), the J.B. Lawrence Administration Building (built in 1947), and the T.L. Holcomb Library (built in 1954).
College facilities
T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure Library The T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure library is a three-floor facility located in the center of campus. The library provides research and study areas, houses the ABC Chapel and a computer lab. The library collection contains more than 14,000+ volumes, over 200 periodicals, and a rare collection of Bibles in over 300 different languages. The collected writings of Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi can be found in the library's reading room. The library has also received donations from the private collections of Renita J. Weems, Harmon Wray, and Professor Janet Wolf. These donated books cover a variety of topics including ethics, politics, social justice, theology, and Christian leadership.
T.L. Holcomb Chapel Chapel services are required and held weekly in the T.L. Holcomb Chapel. Every service involves students, staff, and faculty with occasional guest preachers, alumni, and scholars in residence. Chapel services are mandatory and held weekly on Tuesday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Vesper service is held weekly on Friday beginning at 6:45 pm (attendance not required).
J. H. Flakes and J. B. Lawrence Administration Building The administration building was completed in 1946 and is named in honor of J.B. Lawrence, a former Secretary of the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board. In 2011, J. H. Flakes' name was added to the administration building in honor of his work and ministry on behalf of the college. This building houses administrative offices and classrooms.
Griggs Hall Griggs Hall was the first building constructed on the campus in 1923. It was named to honor the legacy of the Griggs family: Sutton E. Griggs was the first president of American Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) and his father, A.R. Griggs, served as the secretary of the National Baptist Education Board. In 1948, a fifty-foot addition to the structure was completed. The school's first cafeteria was originally housed in the basement of the hall, along with modest laundry facilities. Currently, this building is undergoing renovation.
Baptist World Center Dedicated in 1989, the Baptist World Center was constructed as the official international headquarters for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. It is the very first building of its kind erected by the convention. The Baptist World Center is located on the south edge of the campus, on the original site of the former National Baptist Missionary Training center. It houses administrative offices of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and is used by American Baptist College for classroom space, events, workshops, and the campus dining hall. The sanctuary is large enough to accommodate the Annual Mid-Winter Board Meeting of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., as well as annual lectures and major conferences and convocations of the college.
John R. Lewis and Julius R. Scruggs Leadership Development Center The Lewis-Scruggs building was opened in 2005 and named in honor of two ABC alumni, Congressman John R. Lewis (D-GA) and Julius R. Scruggs, ABC Board Member and Vice President at Large, National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated. The Leadership Center is located behind the T.L. Holcomb Library and Susie McClure Library
Alumni Hall Alumni Hall is a single-story structure that was named in honor of the college's alumni. The hall, located near student apartments on the north edge of campus, is used to house the department of Campus Operations.
Student life Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023 Race and ethnicityTotal Black International student Economic diversity Low-income Affluent American Baptist College has a variety of organizations, committees, and activities.
Garnett-Nabrit Lectures
The Garnett-Nabrit Lectures (GNL) is an annual event held each spring to honor the legacy of James Henry Garnett, a former dean and acting president, and J. M. Nabrit, fourth President of the college. The lecture series, initiated in 1958, grew out of the annual Ministers and Missionary Conference that began in 1937. American Baptist College hosts this annual event on campus at the World Baptist Center. Religious scholars and preachers are selected to address issues relevant for service and leadership. The lecture series provides a forum for church leaders, as well as students, to listen to, interact with, and be inspired by noted scholars, pastors, and laypersons. The Garnett-Nabrit Lectures is the premier lecture series of the year held at American Baptist College. During the lecture series, alumni return to campus to take part in the tradition of academic enrichment. This time of homecoming allows former students to interconnect with current and prospective students providing a lasting heritage for American Baptist College. Attendance is highly recommended for all enrolled students.
Founders Day Representatives of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the Southern Baptist Convention founded the American Baptist Theological Seminary, now known as the American Baptist College, on May 6, 1924. The College observes this day annually with a special service commemorating the event. Generally, special pre-Founders Day activities are sponsored on campus throughout the week and a Founders Day Memorial Service for the community of American Baptist College including the Alumni Association.
Discovery Week